The head of one of the largest electric utilities in the nation is taking to the airwaves with Environmental Defense Action Fund in a new advertising campaign that endorses a “smart cap” on carbon as the climate change solution that protects consumers.

WASHINGTON (May 6, 2009) – The head of one of the largest electric utilities in the nation is taking to the airwaves with Environmental Defense Action Fund in a new advertising campaign that endorses a “smart cap” on carbon as the climate change solution that protects consumers.

John W. Rowe, chairman and chief executive officer of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, highlights the economic benefits of a carbon cap in a 30-second television spot. “I’m the CEO of a utility company. Not who you’d expect to be for a cap on carbon pollution. But, a smart cap will overhaul our economy by shifting us toward clean, America-made energy,” Rowe says in the ad.

“John Rowe sees the environmental and economic urgency of capping carbon pollution. The smart way to do it is with a strong cap that drives economic investment and a plan to protect consumers,” said David Yarnold, executive director of EDAF, which is funding the ad campaign.

“Exelon was an early and vocal advocate for climate change legislation, and we are happy that the issue is finally getting traction on Capitol Hill,” said Rowe. “We support the cap as a cost-containment mechanism that will start at a moderate level and ratchet up over time to reduce emissions without causing an undue burden on the economy or consumers.”

The television ad featuring Rowe begins airing nationally this week along with print and online versions that direct viewers to www.asmartcap.org, which provides more information on how a carbon cap will boost the economy and protect family budgets. The ads will run through mid-May as congressional action on comprehensive energy and climate change legislation gets underway.

Exelon Corporation is one of the nation’s largest electric and gas utilities with approximately $19 billion in annual revenues. Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.4 million customers in Illinois and Pennsylvania, and gas to 485,000 customers in the Philadelphia area.

Exelon and the Environmental Defense Fund are members of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a group of 25 leading companies and five non-profit groups that are calling on Congress to enact a cap on greenhouse gases as soon as possible. The group’s members represent every sector of the U.S. economy. More information about USCAP is online at www.us-cap.org.